NEW YORK — Afghan Taliban commander Haji Najibullah was sentenced to 42 years in federal prison this week for hostage-taking and providing material support for terrorism that resulted in the deaths of U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan.
Quick Facts
- Defendant: Haji Najibullah
- Age: 50
- Nationality: Afghan
- Known Aliases: Najibullah Naim, Abu Tayeb, Atiqullah, Nesar Ahmad Mohammad
- Sentence: 42 years in federal prison
- Supervised Release: 5 years
- Charges: Hostage-taking; providing material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death
- Plea Date: April 25, 2025
- Sentencing Judge: U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla
- Victims: American journalist, two Afghan nationals, U.S. servicemembers
- Criminal Conduct: 2007-2009
- Location: Afghanistan and Pakistan
Haji Najibullah, 50, of Afghanistan, was sentenced to 42 years in federal prison and five years of supervised release for terrorism, hostage-taking, and supporting attacks that resulted in the deaths of U.S. soldiers and other victims in Afghanistan.
Najibullah, also known as “Najibullah Naim,” “Abu Tayeb,” “Atiqullah,” and “Nesar Ahmad Mohammad,” pleaded guilty on April 25, 2025, to hostage-taking and providing material support for terrorism resulting in death.
According to court records, Najibullah participated in the hostage-taking of an American journalist and two Afghan nationals in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2008 and 2009. He also led Taliban fighters who carried out attacks against U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009.
U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla imposed the sentence, citing Najibullah’s role in acts of terrorism that contributed to the deaths of American military personnel and other victims.